Discus hopeful Brooks does the heavy lifting

Millikin grad and construction worker advances to Friday's final

June 25, 2012|By Helene Elliott, Tribune Newspapers

Tim Glover was the top qualifier in the javelin at 263-4 (80.27m) in the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials at Hayward Field. But he placed 6th in Monday's final. (Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE Photo)

EUGENE, Ore. — Lance Brooks had no complaints after spending a good chunk of Monday afternoon out in the chilly rain that pelted Hayward Field during the preliminary round of the discus at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials. Compared with what he usually does during the day, getting wet while uncorking the best throw of the session by nearly two feet was a holiday.

Throwing the discus is a passion for the native of downstate New Berlin, Ill., and 2006 graduate of Millikin, where he played basketball. But discus throwing isn't lucrative enough to be his living, so he works construction jobs in Denver and trains at high school fields around the city.

"Concrete laying. The hard work," he said. "It's probably not the ideal job to have as an athlete, but it pays the bills and you've got to do what you've got to do."

And somebody's got to pay the bills.

"Mom and Dad can only do so much," said Brooks, 28. "When I'm home I'm working 60 hours a week. ... This is fun and within the last year it has been more of a full-time job on top of my other job."

He threw 212 feet, 7 inches on his first try, fouled on his second and passed on his third. Brooks' throw Monday was short of the Olympic standard of 213-3 and his top throw this season was 2 inches short.

Glover misfires: The day wasn't as kind to two-time NCAA javelin champion Tim Glover of Illinois State. After posting the top distance in the preliminary round, Glover finished sixth in Monday's final (250 feet). None of the top three met the Olympic standard of 269 feet. Sam Humphreys of Texas A&M had the best throw, 268-7, with Sam Crouser of Oregon second at 265-1 and Craig Kinsley third at 262-2.

Also:Nick Symmonds won the men's 800 in 1:43.92, the fastest time ever run by an American at Hayward Field. He will be joined on the Olympic team by 35-year-old Khadevis Robinson (1:44.64) and Duane Solomon Jr. (1:44.65). ... Alysia Montano of New York, who broke her foot at the 2008 U.S. trials and left in a wheelchair, won the women's 800 in 1:59.08, ahead of Geena Gall (1:59.24) and Alice Schmidt (1:59.46). ... Queen of Peace graduate Delilah DiCrescenzo qualified for Friday's final in the women's steeplechase with a fourth-place finish in her heat and Jacobs graduate Evan Jager won his heat to advance to Thursday's final in the men's steeplechase. ... Defending U.S. triple jump champion Amanda Smock had the best jump of Monday's final at 45 feet, 9 inches. Sheena Gordon was second at 45-41/2. Amanda Geubelle was third at 45-3. None reached the Olympic standard. ... Alan Webb finished last in his heat in the semifinals of the men's 5,000 meters (14:01), while former Neuqua Valley star Chris Derrick, who finished fourth in the 10,000 on Friday, was a late scratch. Beijing flag-bearer Lopez Lomong, a two-time U.S. champion at 1,500 meters, ran the fastest preliminary-round time (13:42.81), finishing nearly even with Bernard Lagat (13:42.83). ... Jamie Nieto won the men's high jump at 7-53/4.